§ 54 and 55. Mr. SEXTONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the total sum of money paid by the British Government to all landowners in France as rent and compensation for the use of land for trenches and other military purposes during the Great War, 1914–19;
§ (2) what was the total sum of money paid by the British Government to all landowners in Belgium as rent and compensation for the use of land for trenches and other military purposes during the Great War, 1914–19?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo payments were made in the case either of France or of Belgium for the occupation of, or disturbance to, land in the battle area, whether for trenches or otherwise. Outside the battle area, payments were made of about £8,000,000 for billeting, rent., occupation of land, compensation for damage and similar claims in the case of France. In the case of Belgium certain payments of the kind were made; they were not large in amount, but the precise figure is no longer available.
§ Mr. SEXTONDoes that amount of money represent anything paid for cemeteries in France for the British dead; and, if so, how much?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIs it not a fact that the British Government, on entering the War, adopted the principle that their armies would pay all the expenses of the operations of the campaigns they were conducting; and has not this suggestion that rent was exacted for the trenches been a very prominent feature in the 2606 slanders which have been made against France?